Ok i am not racist what so ever, i am Greek and i am married to an Ecuadorian man, so do not think i am racist, well today i recieved a letter from the hospital but it wasn't in English it was in Spanish !!! What the hell!!! this is America , you dont see hospitals sending Greek letters or other languages !!!!!!!!!!! i am very furious.
2007-10-30 08:42:24 · 15 answers · asked by Jenny 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
English is our primary language. But we are so scared of offending that everyone is going overboard. The so-called minorities are now majorities. I think the Caucasian race is becoming the minority, and English is taking a backseat to Spanish. Not that the majority of Americans spoke English properly anyway. Alot of people I can't understand and they say they are Americans. People are scared to speak up because most people are defensive. Every problem has a way of becoming a race issue. Oh you said that because I'm black, or white, or green or whatever. No, I said it because this is America where we used to have free speech. We could call black people, black, and white people, white. African-American? what is that? Most of these peoples ancestors aren't even from Africa. I don't call myself a German-American, or Irish-American. I am an American, we all are mixed, in one way or another. I am in no way against anyone or anything, except ignorance.
I suppose I opened a can of worms with this reply.....
2007-10-30 08:57:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 2⤋
You should really get over the fact that america has a rich spanish heritage and tradition and that we DO NOT have an official national language.
You need to understand the numbers/politics game. They didn't send you a letter in spanish to offend you, but your husband is OBVIOUSLY a native spanish speaker. Considering that he would understand better (maybe) in his first language, they sent him very vital information concerning his condition in a format (supposedly) comfortable to him.
If this country does elect an official national language, I'm sure it will be spanish AND english due to the proficiency of both in this country. You might want to also brush up on your history...California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico (HELLO!!!) and Texas were all Mexican territories and although they were conquered by, at that time the new united states government, they were never made to cross the border and leave...(they were there first anyway) so half of this nation is spanish speaking ya dig...
Just let it go...
2007-10-30 08:57:50 · answer #2 · answered by outspoken 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋
I think that the hospital was trying to be considerate and made a social faux pas. It was ignorant, but I guess they were not sure. Actually, I feel that if they were not sure, they should have sent it in both English and Spanish. I understand how you feel though its like when I go to Asian restaraunts, they bring me a fork without me even asking for it. They assume this ignorant black girl couldn't possiblybe worldly enough to know how to use chopsticks.. They even looked shocked when I refuse the fork and ask for chopsticks.. Whatever. Instead of getting angry, I usually just pity people who are so locked into thier prejudices that it causes them to embarass themselves, like that hospital and like in those Asian restaraunts..
2007-10-30 08:58:54 · answer #3 · answered by babygyrl_nyc 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes, you're right. I totally agree with you!!!
Edited: No, oneeye is wrong! The word "America" does not come from a Spanish surname.
The continent was named after an Italian explorer by the name of Amerigo Vespucci.
.
2007-10-30 08:49:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
Why are you so mad? It was obviously a mistake by the staff. I have worked in a hospital and most do have letters in other languages, especially if the population they serve happens to speak the t language. Just because you haven't seen letters in other languages, don't assume they are not there.I have sent letters in Greek, Russian, Portuguese, Mandarin, Creole and the list goes on.
2007-10-30 08:49:18 · answer #5 · answered by ? 2 · 3⤊ 4⤋
I just want to remind you that Spanish is spoken in America, in South America as well in America del Norte.
It is the most common language in America and the second largest in the world. The reason why the letter was written in Spanish might be that you have the family name of your husband. Secondly, I have been in Spain just two weeks and it is possible to read and understand Spanish, if one want to.
Please, don't be so narrow minded.
2007-10-30 09:10:34 · answer #6 · answered by Realname: Robert Siikiniemi 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋
lol, I thought you were going to go off on people speaking Spanish. That is quite strange, but it's a commonly spoken language now in the US. In many places, reading material and signs exist in both languages.
2007-10-30 08:54:43 · answer #7 · answered by Pfo 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I completely understand why you'd be furious over that. America is slowly but surely turning into Mexico, and until some major changes in immigration come about, we're all going to have to live with it or move away.
2007-10-30 08:57:10 · answer #8 · answered by Man or Monster? 2 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Don't be that furious, because will be in vain...maybe they sent this card in spanish because they thought you would feel more pleased since they know that your husband's mother tongue is the spanish.
2007-10-30 08:52:02 · answer #9 · answered by edu3genau 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Well your husband is spanish! so you probally carry his name so they thought you were spanish!
Plus how many people recoil how to speak greek?
Not many..
2007-10-30 09:21:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋